A group of Baloch youth took part in the Hüseyin Çelebi Literature Festival in Berlin on October 13, joining Kurdish activists to celebrate cultural expression and solidarity.
The festival, organized by Kurdish student associations Yekîtiya Xwendekarên Kurdistan (YXK) and Jinên Xwendekarên Kurdistan (JXK), has been held annually since 1993 to honor Hüseyin Çelebi, a key figure in the Kurdish freedom movement in Germany.
The event began with a moment of silence to honor those who have lost their lives in the Kurdish struggle. Prizes were awarded for original poetry and short stories in Kurdish, German, Turkish, and Persian, promoting Kurdish literature and cultural heritage.
This year’s festival saw the participation of the Yaagi Art Collective, a group of Baloch youth working to promote Balochi literature. Umer Aoman, a representative of the collective, spoke about the significance of their participation.
“Literature is a powerful way to represent the reality of our society. Poetry, in particular, acts as a record of our time,” Aoman said, explaining that the Yaagi Art Collective is a diverse group working to preserve and promote Balochi literature.
Aoman described the festival as a “remarkable experience” and highlighted the shared struggles of the Kurdish and Baloch people, particularly the “oppression” faced in both regions.
“We are in similar situations, and it’s important for us to connect with different groups, not just in Berlin but across Europe. Through these connections, we can raise awareness about what we are going through in Balochistan and Kurdistan,” Aoman added.
He called for stronger alliances between oppressed groups globally, urging young people to unite through literature, art, and activism. “My message to the youth is to come together. We must form alliances to overcome the challenges we face,” he concluded.